I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my recent letter to the editor regarding the day workers congregating in our town that appeared in the Farmingdale Observer on June 30.

In an effort to ensure both traffic and pedestrian safety on Conklin Street due to day laborer pickup practices, the village board believed the relocation of the day laborers off Conklin Street and onto the intersection of Front and Elizabeth Streets was a protective measure and a safer alternative. During this relocation process and up to the present we remain committed to finding a permanent location in a nonresidential area. (I should note: The village is forced to abide by the US Supreme Court decision that prohibits denying access to public property.) Additionally, it was Joseph Picone, a long-time Farmingdale resident and life-long parishioner of St. Kilian's, and not St. Kilian's Parish, who donated and placed the wooden shed on this site to provide shelter from inclement weather.

The village's Action Committee, the Workplace Project and Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS) are all continuing to work aggressively with St. Kilian's Social Ministry to establish a permanent hiring site located in a nonresidential area.

We will keep you informed of progress made with regard to a permanent hiring site. If you have any questions, please contact Village Hall at 249-0093. Thank you for your patience and support in this matter.

Joseph M. Trudden

Mayor